Kevin Rudd has for some time now been actively establishing himself as Labor's Christian spokesman. His essay has called for Christians to avoid becoming like the religious right in the US - seen as staunch Republicans, and therefore powerless to truly influence either party. A short quote from his essay below;
What, for example, is a Christian view on the impact of the Americanisation of our industrial relations system on family living standards and family life? What is a Christian view of global climate change, given Christian teachings on the proper stewardship of creation? And what is a Christian view of asylum seekers in the tradition of the parable of the Good Samaritan?
Rudd has raised some good points here - but unfortunately has ignored some other points that interest christian voters greatly - what is for example, the Christian view on abortion? what is a Christian view on Gay Marriage? What is a Christian view on Theraputic Cloning and Stem Cell Research? It is all well and good for a Christian politician to take a stand on social justice issues, but Christian voters expect people like Rudd to also take a stance on the issues I have just metioned, despite the political cost. Tony Abbott would no doubt be aware that his Catholic values cost him dearly, perhaps even to the point of missing a potential leadership opportunity. He still spoke up from a Christian perspective in the RU486 debate, despite the ridicule in attracted from both sides of parliament. Rudd seems ruthlessly opportunistic in his forays into the realm of Christian politics.
Rudd also has to examine his own party's approach to dealing with Christians, particularly Pentecostal Christians. Hillsong Church, the largest of the Assemblies of God churches ( An Australian born Pentecostal Denomination ) has been the target of several assaults from Labor politicians, most notibly Ian West in NSW. Penetecostal Christians are taunted as 'fundamentalists' - comparing them to extremist Muslims. Victorian Labor's Victorian Racial & Religious Tolerance Act has seen two Pentecostal pastors treated as criminals for 'daring' to criticise Islam (whilst Christianity seems to be fair game from all sides). This has forced the two pastors to fight a very costly legal battle in higher courts that is continuing to this day. Labor's close links with both the Greens and Democrats is also of a concern, given the anti-christian platforms that both parties represent. Much is to be done by the ALP to build themselves as a credible alternative to Christians, and Pentecostal Christians in particular (the fastest growing denominations in Australia, and second only to the Catholics in Church attendance).
2 comments:
As someone who was inspired by Rudd's comments, it's at least a question of balance and perspective.
The gospel is full of admonitions to social justice, such as caring for the sick, the poor, etc, but there is precious little about abortion, stem cell research or gay marriage. Yet it seems from my perspective that it is these latter issues that the Christian 'right' obsesses about politically, while having little to say about the essence of the gospel when it comes to issues like invading Iraq and the erosion of our civil institutions such as education and health care, and the growing inequality between the wealthy and the poor resulting from the economic policies of the Right in Australia, whom the majority of Hillsong members would appear to support.
You can't have it both ways. Hypocrisy is the word which comes to mind.
Rudd is a genuine Christian but as he is a freudulant 'Christrian politician'. time and time again he votes the wrong way on the things that count.
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